The Blues Music Awards ceremony was held in the Mississippi Delta, the birthplace of the blues, for the first time in their 29 year history earlier this week, when the prestigious event took place at the Grand Casino and Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi on Thursday, May 8th.

Honouring outstanding achievements in Blues performance, the Blues Music Awards (formally known as the Handy Awards) are considered by many to be the “Grammys” of the blues world and recognize excellence in blues performance and recording. Awards were handed out in twenty-five categories and were selected by the Blues Foundation member’s votes.

More than 65 nominees were confirmed to attend the event, many of whom performed throughout the evening, often in rare pairings for which the awards ceremony has become famous.

The previous night, the Blues Foundation held its induction ceremony for the Blues Hall of Fame, honouring the individual achievements of guitarists Hubert Sumlin and Johnny “Guitar” Watson, pianist Jimmy McCracklin, singer Jimmy Weatherspoon, pre-WWII string band the Mississippi Sheiks, and country blues performer Peetie Wheatstraw.